Living, Learning and Loving Simply

Tuesday Unwrapped: The Lost Necklace

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:45:00 +0000

I loved this post over at incourage today...it spoke to the way that I seek to live...

To seek the beauty in the midst of chaos.

I really want to notice all the blessed goodness that surrounds me all day. Because goodness is God. And I want to notice God in the everyday-ness or should I say everyday-mess? Seeing His goodness leads me to a grateful heart, and a grateful heart is where I want my focus to be as Thanksgiving approaches. I really don't want to skip a month of focused- gratitude because I am manically planning Christmas.

So every Tuesday I hope to participate in Tuesdays Unwrapped. I want to take time to really see and be aware of the small, unexpected good stuff that Jesus is bringing my way. And to write it down here so that it can be a sort of memorial...so that my foggy brain can remember all the ways He is showing me His love.

This morning I woke up all out of sorts. My favorite necklace had been MIA for at least several days and I was getting worried. I love that necklace and wear it almost every other day. I feared that one of my young sons had taken it and hidden it (one of them has had a recent fascination with "gems"). After asking them several times if they had taken it and getting the answer "no, mommy", I decided to start the house-hunt. No chores, no schooling, no nothing until I find that necklace.

I completely cleaned our entire upstairs in hopes of it turning up. Nothing. Scoured my little boys' bedroom. Nothing. My closet and bedroom...I looked under and over and into every little place I could think of. Next came couch-diving. The longer I looked, the more I ached that I wasn't going to find it.

I told my husband how discouraged I was about it and he gently reminded me to pray. "Aimee, every single time you lose something, you pray and then you always find it." And that is so true. It has happened countless times to me...I pray and God gives me an idea in my head of where it could be, and there it is! Why in the world didn't I just pray?!

So, yes, I paused and prayed. I sat and calmed down. Soon after, I visualized myself wearing it with a brown shirt and green skirt in Savannah ten days ago. Was that the last time I wore it? Hmmmm. "Sam, will you please go look in the red suitcase in the attic to see if my lost necklace is there?" I listened as Sam pulled out the suitcase and unzipped different compartments and then I heard him GASP! I yelled out "Is it my necklace?" And he yelled back, "YES!!"

I am telling you, I felt like the woman in the parable of the lost coin. The joy and relief when something precious is found is unbelievable.

"or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost'. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner that repents."
Luke 15:8-10

And to think that Jesus and His angels rejoice over us. Isn't that amazing?! I am so grateful today for the gift of finding my necklace...something so dear to me. And more so I am thankful that God used that situation to show me how much He loves and rejoices over me...He seeks me out and rejoices when He finds me. His love is....wow.

Home as a B&B: Final Thoughts

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

I hope that you have enjoyed and found some inspiration in this week's posts. My goal was to inspire you with some simple ideas for making your home a more warm and inviting place to your family and friends...to learn to have a "Bed and Breakfast" mindset and to view yourself as a Hospitable Hostess!

A few more easy ideas:

Switch your shower liner to cloth and get a massaging shower head
FLOWERS! Add fresh flowers to your home and kitchen table consistently...budget it in! Put one flower in a small vase next to each person's bed.
Set the breakfast table. Even if you are only serving cereal, set a place mat, a cloth napkin, and a spoon. Serve juice in small juice glasses (for young children, I use baby food jars!). Put fruit in a small ramekin. Doing this the night before means that it is ready and waiting for everyone!
Use casual seasonal tablecloths every night at dinner! Light candles...whoever has the nicest manners may blow them out at the end of the meal.
Have outdoor places to "getaway". I have front porch rockers with comfy outdoor pillows...I go out there daily to read or just look at the sky and trees. We also have a cloth hammock that we all use and love (Target on clearance for $15!). My oldest son takes his books at there regularly to get away!

So did you take away new ideas this week? Are you more excited about your role in your home? I hope so! Above all, have fun being a creative nurturer to those around you!

photo by Pottery Barn

Home as a B&B: The Living Room

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:37:00 +0000

Light and Layers.

Those two simple concepts are a good place to start when thinking about how to cozy-up your living room.

When I say light, I mean three things:

Open your blinds. Let natural light come flooding in! That is one of the very first things that I do every morning as part of my routine.
Reading lamps. Having adequate light to read is a must. Put a floor lamp next to a chair and smaller lamps on end tables. Overhead lighting is harsh...I never turn on the lights that are attached to our ceiling fan. Think triangle when you are setting up lighting...the lamp positioning in your room should form a triangle in order for the full space to get adequate lighting.
Candlelight. It is incredible soothing and quieting to light candles in the late evening and sit and read and talk by candlelight. This ritual calms everyone down and gives a peaceful glow and warm ambiance. Some forsake candles when little ones come along but children can quickly and easily be taught to respect the flame and not to touch "mama's things". I recently put a fresh candle on my coffee table...an orange pillar candle (clearance at Target) put in a hurricane ($2 at A.C. Moore) and surrounded the candle with acorns (free from a nature walk!). An easy and warm addition to our living room!

By layers, I am talking about giving the guests in your living room textural comfort. Add some fresh throw pillows that are a different fabric-feel than your sofa or chairs. Discount department stores like Target and Kohl's are forever putting seasonal throw pillows on sale. Start thinking towards having a collection of seasonal pillows that you can swap out from summer to winter.

I also think that the layering of throws/afghans/blankets/quilts is a wonderful way to add warmth. I love sitting down on my couch and being able to easily grab a quilt from either couch or my fuzzy fleece throw. One year I asked grandparents to give each one of my children their own monogrammed fleece throw...now each one has their very own to snuggle up under for movies or reading or cuddling. You could even place a basket in your living room that you keep a stack of rolled-up throws -- everyone can have easy-access!

Light and layers is all about creating warmth and relaxation and comfort. A place where guests feel like they are being nurtured. What is one way you can add some extra warmth to your living room this weekend?

photo by Country Living

Home as a B&B: The Bedroom

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:41:00 +0000

I think every bedroom needs a "thotful spot"...remember Pooh? For me that means having a comfortable bedroom chair in order to read, relax, reflect, drink a cup of tea, stare out the window or just take a break.

In my little boys' room, I have a wonderful armchair that I bought for $25 at a local thrift store. I bought a slipcover for it, and now we love snuggling there to read. I have one of these small armchairs in my other boys' room for them to relax in. In the corner of my daughter's room is a cushy Beanbag. And in our room is a glider rocker (the one that has been used to rock and nurse all my babies!) and an overstuffed arm chair. Everyone has a cozy little bedroom spot to where they can retreat.

I think it's important for everyone to have a place where they can go decompress, gather their thoughts, settle their emotions, and center themselves. Having a large family means much noise, much togetherness, and not much room for escape! And as much fun as noise and being together can be, we all need spots to be able to go to in order to regroup, refocus, and rest.

That's one of the reasons why I think many are drawn to a Bed and Breakfast. It's a yearning for retreat, for quiet, for contemplation. So in order to bring that feeling into our homes, set up small places of retreat. A carved-out corner. A space by a window. A nook to nestle in.

And one more thing: make your bed. Seriously. Your room will feel so much cleaner and less cluttered if you simply make it up right after you get out of bed. And your bed will feel fresh, not stale, when evening comes and your weary body needs sleep. Teach your children to make their beds...and if not, then make their beds as a way to serve them. All of your bedrooms will be so much more peaceful as a result!

Enjoy your bedroom retreat!

photo by My Little Chickadee

Home as a B&B: The Bathroom

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:13:00 +0000

I love fluffy white towels. I really do. And replacing old, worn towels is a simple way to bring a Bed and Breakfast feel to your home. Cut up the old ones to use as cleaning rags or move them to the camping supplies to use on those trips! New towels are not very expensive (and all department stores have big "white" sales every January!) and they really add new warmth and texture to your bathroom.

I keep two towels per person in our home. A small stack of hand-towels. And two washcloths per person. It's also nice to keep some Mrs. Meyer's laundry detergent or some Tide Simple Pleasures on hand just for washing your towels. It feels nice to grab a sweet smelling towel as you get out of the bath or shower!

I also love having simple and easy-to-wash white bathmats. I have switched from ones that have the awful rubber bottom that always disintegrate over time with ones that I found that are hotel-style at World Market...all cloth and spa-like too!

So begin to keep your eye out for sales and enjoy the simple comfort of fresh towels and bathmats!

Home as a B&B: The Kitchen

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:41:00 +0000

A Hot Drink Station.

This is a wonderful way to bring the Bed and Breakfast concept into your home. I have a square basket from Ten Thousand Villages that I use to organize a wide variety of teas. A small tea spoon rest, a sugar dish, and mugs are all within easy reach. And my favorite part is my wonderful Oster water kettle. I can get hot water fast and it makes it so lovely that everything one needs for a soothing tea time is all together in one place. To the left (not pictured) is our coffeemaker with a jar of beans already ground and a small basket with unbleached coffee filters.

So instead of just a pattern of randomness on your kitchen counters, set up a cozy hot drink station. Think intentionally as to how to make your kitchen a place where everyone can easily get what they need. I have found that small square baskets and glass jars are very inexpensive kitchen organizational tools and they lend a warm aesthetic.

A hot drink station is an invitation to be soothed and to relax!

And now, friends, I am off to drink my coffee :)

Home as a B&B: The Entry

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:51:00 +0000

When you are trying to sell a home, some of the best advice is to focus on "curb appeal". Curb appeal is the first impression people have of your home when they arrive. It's nice to have your family and friends arrive at your home greeted with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Most Bed and Breakfasts do this by thinking seasonally with the small touches that they add in their decor in order to make it feel home-like and welcoming. Fall is the one of the easiest times of the year to do this! You can easily get pumpkins, mums, and pansies this time of year without breaking the bank. I love decor a la Country Living so I keep my old red wheelbarrow decorated according to the season...that is where our guests park and walk up to our front door.

As you walk up the brick steps to our home, you will always find these galvanized buckets flanking the door. This is where I keep seasonal flowers...and it always makes me smile! In the Spring/Summer, I keep Gerbera daisies in there along with some colorful pinwheels. In the Fall, I switch those out with Mums. This year I switched them out with a small pot of mums so that I could add a few small pumpkins and strawberry corn....all items bought inexpensively at the grocery store. For the Winter, simply gather pinecones from the yard and fill the buckets up. Add a cheery wreath to the front door and a clean Welcome mat and then come on in!

Either the children or I have the chore to make sure that the front porch and brick steps are regularly swept clean and any stray toys put away. I want the front porch to seem to always be smiling at us and clutter can quickly make that "smile" go away. And if you have a back entry to your home, don't forget about it! We try to keep that entry swept and clean too...with a small pot of pretty pansies as a simple accessory.

So as you seek to be a Hospitable Hostess to your family and friends, start with your entryway. Add a little warmth and seasonal decor. You can purchase many fall decor items very inexpensively at places like Dollar Tree and A.C. Moore. Set aside $10 and go spruce it up!

Here is some photo inspiration of decorating your front porch with pumpkins!

Treating Home like a Bed & Breakfast

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:23:00 +0000

I value finding meaning and beauty and inspiration in my daily housework. When you reduce homemaking to simply "chores"...endless cleaning, laundry, and organizing...it can easily move from being meaningful to being drudgery or duty. Nothing is worse than feeling like a mere maid in your own home. But when I treat my home like it's a "Bed and Breakfast" , then decorating and organizing and cleaning can become fun, creative, and meaningful. Having a Bed and Breakfast mentality moves me from thinking I am a mere maid to living as a Hospitable Hostess!

How can we begin to live this way with limited time or limited resources (whether that be money or energy or creativity)?

The first step costs nothing and require no resources. It's simply to change your thinking. Begin to view your home as a lovely Bed and Breakfast. A place of hospitality and beauty. A haven of rest and peace. Walk through your home with an eye towards simplicity, beauty, order, and welcome. Think through the aspects of what draws you towards the thought of going to a Bed and Breakfast and maybe jot down some of those ideas or concepts.

Altering your homemaking mindset from domestic duty to domestic hospitality will give you a framework to begin making small adjustments and changes in your home...and you will be really excited to live and be there because your creativity begins to come alive which nurtures you and the small touches that you implement nurture your family and friends.

This week I am going to share small and simple ways to make your home feel more like a Bed and Breakfast...a warm and inviting space where you, your family, and your friends want to be. A place where everyone (including you!) feels nurtured and cared for. A place with intentional spots of comfort, beauty, and rest.

And do please share your own ideas of how you do this in your own homes. Let's inspire one another to a greater love of home, service, and hospitality!

photo by tengtan

Slowing Down for Fun

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Even though I seek to create a "relaxed" homeschooling environment, our days are still filled with structured learning times and projects and goals. We are just finishing up this wonderful unit study, and through it I have realized that a unit-study approach really fits my family well right now...particularly with a focus on History. I have decided that it works best to focus on a topic for 6 weeks and then take a week off. Changing up our schedule, our pace, and our topic helps keep excitement alive and burn-out low.

So next week is our week "off". I am calling it "Game Week"! So much fabulous learning comes through playing games...it's like sneaking veggies into spaghetti sauce for your kids! I am getting out a large plastic tub and filling it with games for the week...that will be their "curriculum". This should slow us down (particularly me!) and give us an opportunity for plain old unhurried fun.

Here are a list of games that provide great learning in Math, History, Spelling, Critical Thinking, and any other topic you can probably think of:

Scrabble. Have you seen this great website?
Made for Trade
Bananagrams... just bought this one today at A.C. Moore...less than $10 when I used my JoAnn's 40% off coupon there!
Dominoes
Blokus
Roll N Add
Bingo
Stratego
Some Body
Monopoly
Math it!
Rumis...found this at Tuesday Morning this past week for $10.
And card games...Uno, Skip-Bo, Slamwich, Dutch Blitz.

I am so looking forward to a different kind of pace and a different kind of learning this next week. I am also wanting to make some fun new snack foods for us and make some different kinds of popcorn seasonings.

Taking time to slow down offers me the opportunity to stop taking myself and my idealistic plans so seriously... it gives me time to relax, to have fun, to laugh, to play games with my children...to not be a slave to my schedule but to live spontaneously and in the moment.

Here's to life being slow enough to have some flexibility and FUN! :)

photo by alibubba

A Slow Evening

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:13:00 +0000

I was inspired to slow down again.

Life is busy and I don't even leave my house that much. I find myself frantic too often these days. When the little baby is finally sleeping then I put my energy gear into overdrive.

Quick, Aimee, teach the children!
Hurry, Aimee, put the clothes that are in the washer into the dryer!
Run, Aimee, the phone is ringing!
What's that? The 3 year old just went potty where he isn't supposed to?!
Lunch Time! We're hungry, Mom!
You better move it, Aim, that baby is about to wake up...clean up the living room, declutter a counter, get dinner going....

hurry, hurry, hurry.

No wonder I get weary and teary?

So I am reminded by dear friends that I love slow living. I really don't love being driven or frenzied or nervous. I don't like my to-do list to lead me...I so do not want to be a control-freak. But for a myriad of reasons, I can go there. I can be that way. I can get off-track.

So tonight... I turned down the lights.

I lit candles all around our living room.

I turned on Mozart.

I started a small piece of embroidery...a simple tree...maybe to be turned into a little seasonal pillow for the couch.

Dear Mike brought me a steaming cup of chamomile tea and then read to the children about Aslan and Narnia...resurrection power.

And in the sweet slowness I was soothed. My spirit connected with the Lord, with Mike, with my children, with myself.

Small simple acts of intentional slowness.

May we walk in the soothing nature of slow living. So that we can be stilled, and from that soul-place of stillness, really connect. Because to me, that's the goal:

Real, meaningful, nurturing relationships.

Simply Sparkling

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:54:00 +0000

If you want a non-toxic, "green" solution that offers you sparkling mirrors and windows, put some Club Soda into an empty squirt bottle (look in the cleaning section or garden section of your department store) . Spray mirrors and windows, and wipe dry with a quality microfiber cloth.

It doesn't get much simpler than that.

Wise Words

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:52:00 +0000

"Live simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply.
Speak Kindly. Leave the rest to God."

~Ronald Reagan

photo by dawndh

Fall Nesting

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Autumn arrived this week. Well, maybe not here in South Carolina...yet. As seasons change I am always reminded that this too shall pass. No matter what we are going through, it will end or it will change...it's just a season. This brings hope and encouragement that life won't always be this hard or this tiring or this demanding. God doesn't break bruised reeds (Isaiah 42:3).

I realized this week that I have been feeling down. Homeschooling the children takes time and focus...and it's taken from the time and focus that I have almost exclusively given to my homemaking and creativity for the past two years as part of God's guidance to heal from burn-out. I really miss quiet days of homemaking and sewing. It's just not happening right now. And I realized that it may be not so much due to all of the children being home but being due to the fact that I have newborn. I want to find out ways to balance both homeschooling and homemaking.

I poured out my heart to the Lord in my journal the other morning about this frustration. I prayed for contentment, fresh ideas, and recognized that where I am right now with the children is where I need to be. "And yet, Lord, I want to have time and a fresh vision for my home again."

Just thirty minutes later I stumbled onto wonderful ideas to get inspired for fall! I realized that all my summer stuff is still out and wouldn't it be fun to go in the attic and find some fall decor to put out and maybe even put together a wreath for the front door? The changing of the season was a new opportunity for me to have fun, be creative, and nurture my family at the same time.

So I declare that we all need to have a Seasonal Decorating Day (or weekend!). Go buy some mums for your front porch. Make a leaf garland for your mantle. Look for fun ideas of autumnal crafts to make with your children. Put out some fresh candles. Gather goodies from nature to decorate the dinner table with. Look at decorating blogs or magazines for simple tips on adding fall elements to your home. As we decorate our homes for a new season, it's an acknowledgment that there are always new beginnings, good changes, and fresh living to be had.

I think it's brilliant that God made four distinct seasons. It keeps life exciting and from getting stale and boring.

Have fun celebrating each and every one!

photo by tessanichols

Get Rid of Excess

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:15:00 +0000

A friend came over this morning to help me go through and organize clothing. I removed all of the maternity clothes (and boy, that felt good!). I went through a bag of little boy's clothes that I had been given. Cleaned out newborn clothes that Luke has already outgrown...and toddler clothes that Will has outgrown. Pulled out bins of my oldest son's old clothes to see what would fit my 6-year-old John for the fall. Piles and piles of clothes.

What amazed me was all of the excess. Too much of all of it. So much to sort. So much to organize. I was shocked at how much clothing my children have. My heart felt sad at how much I had stored up when so many children around the world go without. I think that sometimes it's easy to accumulate too much when you ARE frugal...I shop thrift stores and consignment shops, and since they are so inexpensive then I justify buying more and more more. Wouldn't that extra bit of money be better used to give to those in need instead of buying more stuff? And guess what all of those clothes lead to? More laundry! No thanks!

All of that excess just weighs me down. It's clutter...both physically and emotionally. It makes the closets and drawers too full. It makes for more laundry. More organization and work for me. Too many choices for the children when I tell them to get dressed. They feel overwhelmed and then I do too! I just read a recent post that talks about the Waldorf philosophy of clothing children simply...I didn't agree with all of the ideas, but most of it made a lot of good sense. A few basics is all that anyone needs.

So I am paring down the closets. Each child only need 2-3 pajamas, one package of underwear, and one package of socks. About seven shirts and pants. One or two nice outfits. One pair of tennis shoes, one pair of Crocs, and some nicer brown shoes for church or eating out. A little more shoe variety for Katie since, well, we girls like shoe-color variety :)

I need to get rid of shirts that don't wear well now that I am nursing again...and also purge the closet of random clothing I have bought at thrift stores that never really fit well to begin with. And declutter my purses and canvas bags. And shoes...

We really don't need as much as we think we do. And it feels so good to let things go. To lighten our home of excess. It somehow frees our souls. And with the holidays coming, it's a good idea to declutter and freshen things up now before the hustle and bustle begins.

Take 20 minutes and tackle a closet. Drive the items to a clothing drop-off bin (we have them in our grocery store parking lot!). And then be intentional not to bring in too much clothing the next time you hit a sale! Just because it's a "good deal" doesn't mean we need it!

And then do something good with that extra money you saved. Buy a friend a cup of coffee. Send someone a gift. Support a missionary. Sponsor a child. Ridding ourselves of excess frees us up to love and give to others in a new and fresh ways.

May the "excess" in our lives be an excess of love and kindness and goodness and service...not of stuff. Give us the grace to make it so, Lord Jesus.

photo by happyone

Finding My Way

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Did I mention that we brought all of our kids home to learn this year? A newborn along with four other children of such varying ages and needs has been a challenging yet crazily satisfying path. It's not easy. There are afternoons when I sit teary wondering how I can figure out a way to clone myself. Every child needs me, and many times there just doesn't seem to be enough me to go around.

I have had to find a good yet flexible routine for all of us. To say no to the temptation to chase perfection. To be realistic. To be gentle to myself and my children (I fail on both counts regularly). To ask for help. To remind myself that this is a "season". To meditate on Truth. To realize that I can't do it all and that's okay. Really.

But there have been practical things that I have implemented to help my days be a bit more smooth, a bit more peaceful, a bit more do-able. Things that can create "white space" on the page that is my day.

Early to bed and early to rise. I have always tended to be a night-owl, but no more! I feel so much better when I go to bed between 9 and 10pm...it helps me get more sleep since I am getting up several times a night. Mike is "in charge" of the baby until midnight which gives me precious hours of uninterrupted sleep. And if I can get up before the children, have my coffee, and give my day to Jesus, then I can greet my day and my children calmly and happily instead of frazzled and grumpy.
Wear earplugs. Luke sleeps in a bassinet in our room...and my mama-ears get on high alert with every grunt, groan, or whimper. That makes for a light and agitated sleep for me. So with the urging and gift of a good friend, I began to wear pink earplugs every night. What a difference! I can't hear all the little noises, but can easily hear him if he starts fussing. And Mike's snoring isn't waking me either :)
Use the buddy system. I gave each of my two older children the job of being the buddy to one of the two younger children (my "buddy" is the baby :). The older children are in charge of making lunch for their younger buddy, helping them get dressed, getting them drinks, etc. This has helped SO much and has eased much pressure on me.
Accept all offers of meals. We were so blessed to have many friends bring us dinners throughout the first four weeks. When someone would ask me how they could help, I would say "if you would bring us a meal, that would help a lot!" And now I think I am going to buy a few weeks worth of dinners from Super Suppers.
Go on dates. I have now hired a high schooler to babysit for Mike and I twice a month so that we can have dates. We have never done this consistently and really feel the need for dates during this season. We have older children who stay up late and young children who get up early so we feel as if we never have quiet moments together without interruption in our home anymore. Our sitter is coming one Saturday morning a month...so that we can be together when we aren't so tired and worn...and then one Friday night a month.
Hire house-cleaning help. I have also hired a college student to come twice a month on Friday mornings to clean all of my floors and all of my bathrooms. Can I tell you how nice it is to delegate this out so that I don't feel that pressure to do it all? It's awesome to spend that time having fun with my kids at the library and playing tennis instead of cleaning!
Put the younger child in preschool. I have put my over-the-top-bundle-of-talking-energy named Will in preschool two mornings a week. He LOVES it. He is there from nine until noon and let me just say that it makes a tremendous difference in our mornings. I am really able to teach and guide my older children without chronic interruption and Will gets the opportunity to play and sing and have fun in a safe and kind environment. Why didn't I do this before?
Use workboxes. I am re-implementing this homeschool organizational strategy this next week. I did it with Sam in the Spring, and it really really helped him work independently and challenged me to be creative in what I gave him to do. I really believe that this will help me balance teaching my two older children while giving my 6 year old the attention that he needs (because so far I haven't been able to find a good way to make it all work).

From this list you should be able to see that I have finally realized that I can't do it all and that I need help. We all need help and we need each other. I have always tried to "do it all" on my own...homeschool, meals, cleaning, and on and on. I have finally realized that it's okay to ask for help or hire help so that I don't burn-out.

This list is all about margin. It's all about recognizing my limitations. In order to give of ourselves in one area may mean asking for help in other areas. We are part of a Body...we are not THE Body in and of ourselves. I am just a pinky fingernail that needs to be attached to a finger that is attached to a hand that is attached to an arm that is attached to a Body of many other parts.

So right now I am finding my way. The new normal. Figuring out how to continue to live with balance and health and service and grace in the midst of a lot of responsibility. Praying for wisdom. Asking for advice. And resting in Sovereignty. Ultimately that is what brings me a deep settled peace...knowing that He has my little family in the safe and gentle palm of His hand. His grasp is sure and nothing can take us from that place. Nothing.

And that's Really. Good. News.

photo by immarkcz

A Lady's Uniform

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:08:00 +0000

The last few weeks of spending oh-so-much-time-on-my-couch has lent itself to my being clothed in leftover maternity shirts and yoga pants. And being dressed that way day after day just makes me feel even more tired and ick. I remember the early years of raising kids all too well when I was dressed in t-shirts and sweatpants...I always looked tired and run down. I wish I had learned then to take better care of my appearance and how good I would feel if I did.

As I began feeling physically and emotionally back-to-normal this week, I have wanted to feel pretty and "together" as a wife and mother and woman again...which for me means I get back to wearing my very simple standard uniform. A simple skirt..either knit, cotton, or denim. A solid v-neck colorful cotton shirt. And always always a necklace...this one being my newest and happiest!

I have learned over the years that how I dress in our home affects my mood, my work ethic, and even the quality of interactions with my husband and children. When I wear a skirt and some jewelry, I feel very "professional" and confident...which spills over to my wanting to cook and create and organize for my family. I am more excited about working and doing things in my home when I am "dressed" in a flattering and womanly way.

I even tend towards speaking to my children more "motherly" when dressed in a skirt...kindly and gently as I picture a 1950's sitcom-mom speaking to her children. And somehow my feisty and flirty nature comes shining through with my husband (which he loves! :) when I have taken time to look cute or pretty or sparkly or fun.

And donning a cute little half-apron (always keep your eyes open at thrift stores for these!) while I clean makes the job all the more fun and I really do seem to get more done in less time.

Dressing nicely for the day at home communicates to my husband and children that I love my role here...that I delight in who I am as a homemaker and what I do. It says that I take my "job" seriously and want to do it well. It also gives my appearance a "softness" that my husband and children are drawn to...and for some reason my heart truly does seem softer when I feel womanly and feminine.

Ultimately though, I have come to realize that I must daily be clothed with Christ (Romans 13:14) as I walk about my home. Even though I believe that our outer appearance does have an effect on us, we must seek the beautiful clothing of a Jesus-like loving heart. I meditate on these words often:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14

Pretty women, may we shine and be clothed with true beauty and femininity inside and out as we go about our daily, simple lives.

Inspiration

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Just wanted to pop on here and share a few links that have inspired me lately!

Katherine's post on Trusting is exactly what I needed to read right now. Exactly.
Great ideas for gift-giving.
You (especially if you are a blogger!) must go see the movie Julie and Julia...it's wonderfully light and fun!
I am in the midst of making these cute felt alphabet letters for my son who is learning to read!
I saw this photo of little boy linen pants which inspired me to buy this pattern to make some for Will and Luke for the fall.
Sew Mama Sew is sponsoring Hand Sewing Month and this post has great ideas of sewing you can do with children.
And I just received my copy of Handmade Home by Amanda Soule...and I am in love! Can't wait to make a beach blanket!

photo by Geoff...

Thoughts from Recovery

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Although I have enjoyed my sweet little boy and the absolute cuteness of his littleness, I have not been enjoying "recovery". Week One was fine..."it is what it is" was my mantra. But by the end of Week Two I have been wanting to "be me" again but my body is resisting that right now. It's saying to me, "Rest, Aimee" but Aimee is whining back, "But I don't want to!"

Why is it so hard to accept just "being"? To receive a time of stillness as what I need? Especially since I know that this is just a "season" and a short one at that? Hmmmm. There are definitely good lessons to be learned as I literally "sit" in this place (the place being my couch!)

Trusting.
Asking for help.
Thinking.
Praying.
Pondering.
Healing.
Nurturing the baby.
Bonding.
Nurturing myself.
Listening.

These are things that are largely unseen, and I derive great satisfaction from activities that are seen, measurable, and tangible. Do I trust that the activity of the unseen is valuable, satisfying, and needed? That it lays the strong foundation for what will one day be seen? Am I willing to live by faith and not by sight?

My dear friend Andrea (who is in the midst of post-partum recovery too...isn't God good to give us special friends who walk seasonal paths with us?) reminded me to say "Yes, Lord". And that's where I am starting off with today. Enough resisting. Enough whining. Enough striving.

Yes, Lord.

200th Post: Welcome Luke Joseph!

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:24:00 +0000

My sweet Luke Joseph was born Thursday at 4:59pm after another quick and awesome labor. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz and 21 inches long with a head full of hair which is a standard newborn feature for all of our children! We are home resting and nursing and getting to know each other.

When I look at my life right now, I feel incredibly incredibly blessed.

Summer Pleasures

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:22:00 +0000

1. Joining a CSA for the first time...Community Supported Agriculture...a new organic farm which is run by Christians who give a portion of the money to the local poor and also provide education to low-income families as to how to grow their own food.

2. A new weekly Farmer's Market...finally I have access to grass-fed beef, artisan breads, and beautiful produce.

3. Sewing a blanket for an orphan in India for Craft Hope.

4. Getting Will and the baby's room painted and decorated in fun, bright colors.

5. Making a Summerhouse pillow...this pattern is awesome!

6. This sweet outfit for the baby...the pattern was another keeper.

7. A weekend in Asheville alone with Mike at a Bed and Breakfast.

8. Reading this book...such an encouragement to me to continue to invest in my family and home.

9. Making easy and effective cleaning supplies for my home from recipes in Clean House, Clean Planet.

10. Finding some caring midwives, a doula, and a chiropractor all in the last few weeks who are supportive, encouraging, and empowering! I feel ready!

Gracious Acceptance

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:14:00 +0000

I am just being quiet these days. I feel like I am officially "done" with nesting. Sure, there are things here and there that I would like to see completed, but I am content with what I have gotten accomplished.

And now the waiting-for-baby game begins :)

I am 39 weeks pregnant today. I feel a bit like a waddling gnome. And SC summers are HOT! We have had a milder weekend weather-wise and that has been so nice. I am seeking to rest...and more than rest for my body, I find that I really need heart-rest. I am a bit anxious, a bit emotional...my patience runs thin with my children right now. I worry about juggling the upcoming needs of a newborn, my personal needs, my home, my marriage, my children's schooling, and my children's hearts.

I need big doses of drinking in Jesus' love and grace and forsaking all forms of unrealistic ideals and perfectionism. I shudder at being needy, and here I am at the cusp of entering a "needy" season of life. A season where I must ask for help. I must confess my needs to a community. A season of feeling "undone" in many ways...my i's won't be dotted and my t's won't be neatly crossed. "Control" proves itself to be an illusion yet gracious acceptance can be my reality (and a much healthier reality, I might add!)

Why do we fight so much against "hard"? My children hear me say regularly, "hard isn't bad"...we learn so many incredible lessons about God and ourselves and others when life is difficult and pressing. These are the times when my eyes "look to the hills from where my Help comes from". The times when I slow down, I depend on Jesus, and know that His resources are enough. I am reminded that God plus nothing equals enough.

So I seek to cease striving and instead to accept my circumstances. Instead of clinging to fear and anxiety, to receive peace and the assurance of Sovereignty's hands holding fast to mine. That His goodness and love isn't going anywhere...it's here to stay. And that He will meet me and shower me with mercy and kindness through any upcoming "hard".

On a side note, I read this post tonight and loved it...may we all be enjoying and creating "new normals" that are healthy and rich for our lives!

photo by Ben

Staying Focused: The Notecard

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:31:00 +0000

I have had a pretty substantial list to complete before this baby comes in 2 1/2 weeks. House projects and home organization galore. Sewing projects. Maintaining the home. Cooking, baking, freezing meals. Taking the kids places...swimming and bowling and trips. And I have actually managed to accomplish most of my pre-baby goals...and not frantically but steadily and easily. I give thanks for the humble note card.

Every morning I pick about three to five goals I have for that day. I grab a simple 3x5 lined note card and jot them down. I carry that note card around with me and it keeps me focused on "doing the next thing". It might say:

1. Clean a potty and a sink.
2. Bake some muffins.
3. Get laundry put away.
4. Organize a drawer or cupboard.
5. Make two phone calls for needed appointments.

When I steadily keep small, specific, and manageable goals in front of me, it's amazing all that gets done. I am focused and not distracted. If I do get distracted by the computer or something that I see that needs doing, I just come back to the note card and start on the next thing.

I love my note cards! It's not a complicated day timer or bulky notebook. I just keep a stack of them on my desk so I can grab them easily. I also use them to jot down a few chores for each child. And for grocery lists or sewing lists. They are cheap and simple, and they work!

Baking Soda Love

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:21:00 +0000

I bought some of these nifty shakers from World Market a while ago. The price was right and I knew I could find some wonderfully practical uses for them.

After reading Clean House, Clean Planet , I was motivated to put some baking soda into this shaker along with about 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Now I have some "Earth Shaker" that I sprinkle in my kitchen sink or on my counter tops for a fresh pick-me-up. Do you know all the amazing uses of baking soda? And it's so cheap! Seriously good stuff.

And did you notice that I used my Brother Craft Label Maker? That thing is addictive!

Simple Summer Embroidery Project

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:37:00 +0000

I found this idea a few months ago in Country Living Magazine and fell in love. I am now getting around to doing it and have them almost completed...just need sweet husband to spray paint the hoops red tonight!

So if you have wanted to try YOUR hand at embroidery, this is a simple first project. And if you already love to embroider, then this is a quick and satisfying project with just back-stitching, a scrap of muslin, an 8-inch wooden hoop and some DMC floss #321!

Here is a link to the blog where the magazine got the idea in the first place!

Nesting

blueberriesatbeach@yahoo.com (Aimee) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:13:00 +0000

That's what I am doing these days. Nesting. You know you are nesting when you even dust out the metal air register in your bathroom!

Deep cleaning my laundry room and my bathrooms. Boy, my house is dirty. Painted Will's room today and primed a vintage changing table. Making lists. Finishing a baby quilt. Decluttering clothes and magazines. Getting ready for the slow, sweet newborn days! 6 weeks!

As I was priming the changing table today, I was doing it on the front porch. I was joined by a new friend. Mama Finch. She has laid her eggs in one of the ferns at the end of our porch and is busy getting ready for their arrival. She was worried at first when I came out there. Flitting and floating about and unsettled. But as time wore on we just watched each other and sat in each other's presence. Two mamas getting ready for their babies. It was sweet.

In the midst of the "nesting", I also want to be present in the moment. Able to notice small things like a mama finch or the new freckles on my 6 year old John's nose or the small bloom on my lavender plant. Nesting can often become manic and driven, but I want to "do the next thing" in calmness and gentleness and trust. Trusting that it's all okay...the list doesn't have to ALL get done...that my relationships with others are more important than the checkmarks on my to-do list.

This takes Jesus. Mama "flesh" can get worried and harried and demanding. All or nothing. Fearful and scattered. I recognize that without the power and love of my Gentle Leading Shepherd that the next six weeks could be filled with such a frantic nature that my husband and children suffer. I will be "tearing down my house with my own hands". And I don't want that.

So pray for me if you think about it. For peace and love. The verse that I have been meditating on lately is a simple one. I Corinthians 16:14 says "do everything in love".

Now THAT is gonna be my nesting goal!